Trevor Jackson
A SOLID start to the NBL1 South Season continued for the Mount Gambier Pioneers men on the weekend, as they comfortably accounted for Keilor Thunder with a 106-82 scoreline.
The Pioneers lined up without the services of American Chris Seeley after a training injury, but still managed to stay ahead of the Thunder at every change.
Just five points separated the two sides at the first break, which the Pioneers extended by eight heading into half time.
Keilor took the advantage in the third term and won that quarter by three points, but the Pioneers remained in front and pushed hard down the stretch to close the game out well with a 29-15 final term.
Coach Richard Hill was impressed with the victory, considering the strength of the Thunder roster.
“It was a very good win,” he said.
“Keilor came in with a pretty good lineup and took it to us early.
“They have three Americans and two guys on NBL rosters.
“It was 44-all with five minutes to go in the first half … it was tough.
“We went on a 17-4 running going into half time and that set the game up for us.”
The Thunder then closed the margin in the third term but the Pioneers were able to get back on track and retain the lead.
Hill said the results so far this season have come partly due to a lot more input from the bench players, which was again the case on Saturday night.
“Last week we had 32 points off our bench and Saturday we had 33 points off our bench, which is extremely good,” he said.
“I don’t think we have ever done that in my time.”
Bench players Dylan Marshall (12) and William Mayfield (16) contributed 28 of those points.
Both were also impressive at the defensive end of the floor.
Jacob Lampkin topped the score sheets, with 21 points and a big 14 rebounds.
For his efforts he was awarded the Anzac Medal from the referees, which Hill said was no surprise.
“Any one of three or four of our guys could have won that,” Hill said.
“Jacob has been great for us every game.
“He has been a rock for us.
“He is an import player and is getting better each week.
“I think all of the guys have an enormous amount on growth in them.”
Nick Marshall finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, Kane de Wit 14 points and Julian Pesava 12.
The Pioneers are back at home this weekend, with a clash against a solid Ringwood roster.
Hill said this was a shaping up as a tough season, with most sides boasting strong rosters.
“Ringwood is a pretty solid side,” he said.
“Every team is good … there are not many weak links.
“The competition looks as strong if not stronger than last season.
“You play bad and you get beaten.
“Historically we start the seasons well because we work hard and the other teams tend to get better as the season goes along.
“We just have to make sure we get better as well.”
